AC Milan centre-back Philippe Mexes is disappointed to have been handed a retrospective three-match suspension for striking Marco Borriello during the Rossoneri's 1-1 draw with Juventus on Saturday.

The referee did not see the incident between the former Roma team-mates, which occurred at the start of the second-half, but the Italian League reviewed video evidence and found Mexes guilty of violent conduct.

However, the Frenchman was unhappy at being punished so severely, insisting off-the-ball incidents are part of football and claiming that Borriello exaggerated the contact.

"These things shouldn't happen, that is clear, but there was nothing vicious in it," Mexes said. "I suffer a few blows too during games, but I don't go down to the ground and start rolling around."

Mexes, 29, is set to miss Milan's Serie A games against Palermo, Lecce and Parma as the current league leaders continue their bid to successfully defend the title they won last season.